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Everton left in the shade

As David Moyes laments the widening gulf between Tottenham and Everton, the manager confirmed that the £10m raised from selling Mikel Arteta to Arsenal last August will not be made available to spend in this month's transfer window — that despite the club wringing an apology from the Liverpool Echo for suggesting just that and Bill Kenwright himself assuring fans that funds would be available.

Until last season, Everton and Spurs regularly competed for European qualification in recent years, but Harry Redknapp has been able to invest and improve over to such an extent over the past two seasons that they are now viewed as credible contenders for the title.

Moyes, of course, has not bought a senior player for two and a half years and has seen his ability to challenge for European contention fall away as a result.

"It is a little bit sad they are starting to pull away from us a little bit more than I would like," Moyes admits.

"It is frustrating because all managers will tell you when you are close and competing with teams you never like to see them go away from you, but we are looking at them going away from us at this present time.

"They have continued to kick on and over the years they have got in some really good players. Rafael van der Vaart is one and Scott Parker another recently."

Members of the Blue Union challenged Bill Kenwright, on a range of financial issues as he arrived at Goodison Park for the Cup tie against Tamworth, including whether the proceeds of Arteta's sale on transfer deadline day last summer would be reinvested in Moyes' squad.

Moyes insisted that the decision to sell Arteta was taken for "football reasons" but was forced to concede that he will not be given the proceeds to spend on new players.

"I think everybody knows that the bank wanted the money. I think you all knew that," said Moyes.

Everton demanded and received an apology from the Echo last year when the paper reported that the Arteta money would not be given to Moyes in January.

"I would guess that [Tottenham] have been one of the biggest spenders in the Premier League over the last 10 years. Certainly since I came in they have always supported whatever manager they've had, whether that be Juande Ramos, Martin Jol or Harry Redknapp. They have always backed their managers.

"We know that we have to [invest] if we are going to hang on but it's hard. I see one or two other clubs that could say they were competing with Everton and Tottenham not too long ago who are in a similar situation. That's the way it is. A big part for us will be to make sure we develop our own players and bring our own players through and pick up one or two from the lower leagues who we can hopefully turn into Premier League players."

Asked if he could pursue that policy in this transfer window, Moyes replied: "I would be surprised if we did. I don't think that is going to be the case."

Quotes or other material sourced from The Guardian

• Kenwright promised funds for January

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